Woods' 27 Not Enough; Men's Basketball Falls to Cheyney in Season Opener 100-90

MISENHEIMER, N.C. – Cheyney University’s Sharif Bray scored 33 points to lead the Wolves to a 100-90 victory over Pfeiffer University on Sunday night in day one of the 2009 Highway 52 Shootout. Tonight marked the season opener for both teams as the Falcons will play Livingstone in tomorrow’s consolation game at 5:00 p.m. while Cheyney will take on Catawba at 7:00 p.m.

22 of Bray’s 33 points came in the first half as the Wolves held a 54-52 advantage at the break. The first 20 minutes of play went back and forth as Cheyney held a nine-point lead after a pair of free throws by Rob Townsend just before the break. Isaac Carr pulled down an offensive rebound and converted the put-back with 7:30 to tie the contest at 32-32. Bray would drain a couple of free throws and jumpers late to give the Wolves their two-point lead at the half.

Five minutes into the second half, Pfeiffer would again grab the lead back at 62-60 on a three-ball by James Crowder. Bray’s three-pointer would square things at 65 before two of Chris Woods’ 27 points gave the Falcons the lead back 60 seconds later. Woods’ free-throw at the seven minute mark once again knotted the contest at 82 apiece, but Bray and teammate Kevin Presbery would take over from there. Each would hit a couple of jumpers and several free throws late as the Wolves pulled away from the 10-point victory.

Along with Bray’s 33, Cheyney benefited from a Presbery’s 26 point effort along with Rob Townsend and Charles Brazzle each scoring 13. For the host Falcons, Jeff Pettiway dropped in 14 while Davon Gilliard and James Crowder each threw in 13.